AFFIRMING THE ROLES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN

WHEREAS, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) was created
under Presidential Decree No. 603, and Executive Order No. 233 (s. 1986)
expanded its functions, as the national policy and program coordinating
body for the promotion of the rights and welfare of children;

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) 8980 provides for the establishment of the
National Early Childhood Care and Development Coordinating Council
(NECCDCC) which institutionalized a national system for a comprehensive,
integrative and sustainable collaboration for the promotion of
physical, social, emotional, cognitive, psychological and spiritual
growth and development of young children;

WHEREAS, Section 1 of Executive Order No. 778 (s. 2009) provides for
the transformation of the CWC into the Early Childhood Care and
Development Council (ECCDC) attached to the Office of the President to
support the implementation of the full range of health, nutrition, early
education and social services programs for the basic needs of young
children from birth to age (6) and to promote their optimum growth and
development;

WHEREAS, EO 778 also provides for the transfer to the DSWD of the
functions and staff of the then CWC now ECCD Council which were not
part of ECCD;

WHEREAS, there is a need to designate a focal agency separate and
distinct from the DSWD that will formulate, advocate, monitor and
evaluate the implementation of national policies, laws and programs for
the development and protection of children (below 18 years) consistent
with the country’s international treaty obligations and national
frameworks on children;

WHEREAS, the 1987 Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines
vests power in the President to reorganize the national government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the
Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by
law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD Council)
– The ECCD Council shall continue to function as contemplated under EO
778. It shall be the principal agency to implement the government’s
early childhood care and development programs such as health, nutrition
and early education for children from birth to age six (0-6 years).

SECTION 2. Council for the Welfare of Children – The
Council for the Welfare of Children shall continue to function and
exercise the same powers pursuant to the provisions of PD 603 and EO 233
(s. 1986). It shall be composed of the same agencies and organizations
as identified in EO 233 (s. 1986), with the Secretary of Social Welfare
and Development as the Chairperson. It shall be attached to the
Department of Social Welfare and Development.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause – All executive orders, rules
and regulations and other parts thereof which are inconsistent with
this Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity – This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 08 June 2009

(SGD.) GLORIA M. ARROYO
President of the Philippines  

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary